Editing FAQ

WHAT DOES AN EDITOR DO?

Would you format a children's book like an annual report, or write a marketing pamphlet like a science textbook? Of course not, but all too often, people forget who is reading their product—they focus only on the point they wish to make. Communicating successfully, however, requires writers to consider their intended readers, the people who will actually be using the document. Is it accessible (in format, language or complexity) for them? You might have the best idea in the world, but if you can't convey it clearly, effectively and professionally to your desired audience, the quality of the idea won't matter—it will be ignored.

Editors help you express and communicate your idea. Whether your argument needs a final polish or a complete overhaul, an editor can ensure that not only is the document mechanically correct (with proper grammar, syntax and spelling), but that it is organized well, expressed clearly and formatted properly. All of these factors (and more!) contribute to producing something that is suited for your intended audience.

DO EDITORS ONLY WORK ON BOOKS?

Not at all! Almost all of my work has been on documents other than books: reports, newsletters, advertorials, articles, dissertations, marketing material, brochures, guidebooks, administrative material, and so on. Everyone can benefit from an editor.

MY WRITING IS FINE! GIVE ME ONE REASON TO HIRE AN EDITOR.

Just one? That's not even a challenge. Here are five reasons—and good ones at that!

Editors are versatile. Editors work on all kinds of communications projects, from personal resumés to corporate reports, from neighbourhood newsletters to best-selling books. Many editors [like Chris!] are also researchers, writers, translators, graphic designers and desktoppers.

An editor can save you time. Producing a clear and effective publication takes time. Finding the right words for your message isn't easy. An editor will cut to the heart of the matter, save you time and help you meet your deadline.

An editor can save you money. Revising and reissuing incorrect documents wastes precious resources. So does using a non-expert. An editor can help you get it right the first time, and within your budget.

An editor makes sure your message is clear. If your communications aren't clear, you risk confusing your readers, your customers, your co-workers, even your boss. Make an editor your first reader—before you release your material. Editors know how to cut through the confusion and make your message clear.

An editor helps you look good. Your image is important. You want to put out the best communications possible and avoid embarrassing errors. An editor can help you find the right tone, choose the right words and make you look as professional and credible as you are.

There you go: five reasons. In short, an editor can make your life easier!

FINE—I'M CONVINCED. HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Great! The very first step is to contact me with some details about your project, things like the purpose, audience and length (word count).

After that, I will help determine the kind of editing that you need. This depends on many different variables: the current state of the document, where it is in the production process, and your ultimate goal for it when it is complete (to name a few).

Don't worry! Part of the initial consultation involves discussing your options with you and what I think might work best. In general, however, there are several different kinds of editing:

Substantive or Structural Editing: clarifying or reorganizing a manuscript to improve content and structure.

Copy Editing: editing for correctness, accuracy and completeness (including, spelling, punctuation and other mechanics of style)

Proofreading: reviewing a document after layout to correct errors.

Most people need one of the first three kinds of editing: structural, stylistic or copy. Proofreading (which many consider to be basic editing) should be the last type of editing to occur.

For more information on the kinds of editing that I perform, please see Services.

WHAT IS "PLAIN LANGUAGE" EDITING?

Generally speaking, plain language editing involves taking a document and revising it in such a way that the writing is as clear and succinct as possible. Plain language should be easy to read and understand.

There are theories about the most appropriate kinds of plain language (involving reading levels and so on), but my rule is this: the right content and organization for a particular audience. Give your readers material that is accessible, well-organized and suited to their knowledge or skill. That is what I try to do when I plain language edit (which usually involves a combination of revision and re-writing, making it slower and more costly).

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The final cost of an editing job varies widely. It can depend on the length of the document, the complexity of the changes and the timetable of the task (among other variables). Each document is different, so I always like to see a sample before I issue a quote. Once I do give you a quote, however, I will not exceed that price as long as the job does not change. If you add several thousand words to your document, decide you want me to perform another task or move up the deadline, we will have to revisit the final cost. For more info, see "Cost."

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

The speed at which I edit depends on the type of editing. For more on editing speed, see "Services."

DO YOU EDIT DISSERTATIONS AND THESES?

I gladly edit dissertations. While I do place certain limitations on editing them (see "Services"), I find that my experience as a professor and former PhD student helps me provide "big picture" feedback, too. Some clients find this helpful, particularly if their supervisor or committee is uncommunicative.

DO YOU FORMAT REFERENCES IN ACADEMIC DOCUMENTS?

As part of the editing process for dissertations, I do check format, particularly of citations and reference material. This may lead me to make some small corrections, but I do not make wholesale corrections to your references, nor do I take material that has not been formatted and apply the appropriate format for you.

Note that I do not normally edit reference lists in theses or dissertations unless a prior arrangement has been made with a client; my reference editing is limited to textual citations and endnotes/footnotes.

DO YOU EDIT FICTION?

It depends on the kind of editing that you need. While I do not specialize in editing fiction, I am happy to copy edit any kind of fiction, no matter the genre. If you are at that stage of the creative process, feel free to contact me.

I also can provide substantive editing of texts when the author and I have a good rapport and the subject interests me. Potentially interesting subjects include science fiction, fantasy, magic realism and historical fiction, but I am open to other possibilities! If I don't think I can give your work the attention it deserves, I will tell you so and try to find a suitable editor.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU DO NOT EDIT?

I will not edit works of fiction that are outside my areas of personal interest. Similarly, if a document requires a level of subject knowledge that I don't feel that I have—or if I feel that there are moral and ethical implications attached to the editing task—I will not accept the job. In most cases, however, I will do my best to find you a suitable editor.

WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU USE TO EDIT? DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE?

I generally edit using Microsoft Word, but I occasionally edit .pdf documents using Adobe Acrobat. I prefer documents for Word (.doc or .docx format) since they make tracking changes and inserting comments easier, but when that is not possible, I am perfectly comfortable editing .pdfs.

If your document is in a format other than a .doc or a .pdf file, I still may be able to help. Contact me with details about your document and I will see what I can do.